US dismisses airstrike reports in Nigeria and Benin border
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has dismissed reports that the U.S. military carried out airstrikes or took over the airspace along the Nigeria-Benin Republic border, calling such claims untrue and without foundation. In a statement responding to inquiries, AFRICOM’s spokesperson, Kelly Cahalan, said the U.S. military has not conducted any direct action or airstrikes in the region and has made no attempts to seize airspace over Nigeria or Benin, contradicting widely shared online reports.
The clarification followed a viral report published earlier this month that alleged U.S. Air Force aircraft had flown over the border area and attacked terrorist targets. AFRICOM said it would not comment on specific planning or operations, but emphasised that any cooperation between the United States and regional partners, including Nigeria, is aimed at strengthening counterterrorism efforts against violent extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS affiliates under agreed-upon frameworks.
Officials reiterated that ongoing security collaboration is conducted with the knowledge and cooperation of partner governments, and that claims of unilateral U.S. military air operations in the border area are inaccurate. The denial is intended to reassure regional publics and governments amid heightened scrutiny of international military involvement in West Africa.
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